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Broncos' final preseason game is really big for players on the bubble

Denver Broncos defensive ends, Kenny Anunike, left, and Quanterus Smith, right, line up against each other during practice at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Saturday afternoon, August 02, 2014. (Andy Cross, The Denver Post)

ARLINGTON, Texas — The power went out Monday afternoon at the Broncos' Dove Valley headquarters. The modern NFL requires efficiency, no wasted plays, no wasted minutes. Meetings were held by the glow of the players' iPads.

The light will dim this week for 22 Broncos as the team pares its roster to 53 by 2 p.m. on Saturday. Those living on the margins, and even a few outside, have a last audition Thursday against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.

For some, the dream will die. For others, it will be interrupted, their journey taking them to the 10-man practice squad or to another team as a free agent. Nervous energy replaces comfort. Every text message or cellphone vibration creates anxiety.

Denver brims with talent and is built to win a Super Bowl. As such, even longtime veterans aren't immune to potential cuts. Defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson understands the situation. The Broncos love his attitude, his edge.

But the defensive line wades in depth, akin to the 2005 group anchored by Trevor Pryce, making Vickerson vulnerable given his recovery from labrum surgery on his right hip. If he lines up Thursday, it means the Broncos need to see additional proof that he's ready to go full-throttle Sept. 7.

"It's good to have all this talent on the line," said Vickerson, who started the first 11 games last season, making 22 tackles before landing on the injured reserve. "But you know it's the NFL, and it's a business. So even though it may seem in your favor, stuff happens. Right now I am doing everything I can do to make the roster."

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Vickerson helped himself against the Texans. He showed first-step quickness and push on running plays. He continues to get in shape — he was playing catch-up early in camp because of his hip — and build strength.

"It's a work in progress. There are little things, like consistently getting off the blocks, within my game that I have to do better," Vickerson said.

The Broncos' defensive line is huge and brings a little bit of everything. Marvin Austin's emergence has created elbow-only room for roster spots for Mitch Unrein and Vickerson. Predicting how it will shake out is difficult, because there usually is a season-ending injury in the preseason finale, which could change the numbers needed at positions.

A fourth running back seems likely to make it behind starter Montee Ball, hard-charging Ronnie Hillman and bruiser C.J. Anderson. Juwan Thompson and Kapri Bibbs remain in the mix, and the tiebreaker could be special teams. Both have played well on coverage units, though Thompson has more experience dating to his days at Duke.

"With this game, I know anything is possible. At the end of the day, you are trying out for all 32 teams," Thompson said. "I have to cut out doubt. If you don't, you just second-guess yourself off the team. You have to keep your mind straight."

Reserve quarterbacks welcome the exhibition's last stand. It exists as their best platform. Not only will Brock Osweiler and Zac Dysert receive an opportunity, they know when they are going to play. Last week's schedule changed when Peyton Manning remained in the game to build momentum with the starters. Osweiler eyes improvement after a poor showing against the Texans. Dysert impresses in practice but recognizes that a third quarterback can be a luxury.

"I am trying to give them a reason to make them keep me," Dysert said.

The stage is set. Phones are charged. Soon the calls will come, with players learning whether they can keep their iPad playbooks.

"Yeah, it's the toughest part of the business. Having to tell someone whose dream it is to play that they can't be with you," defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio said. "In cases where you have a really strong roster, there's a good chance some of the guys who don't make it here will end up playing other places."

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